Monday, October 15, 2012

ISKCON Hare Rama Hare Krishna Temple, Tokyo - Japan

Being a member of the ISKCON (International Society of Krishna Consciousness) for long, and having seen many of its temples in India, a visit to the ISKCON temple of Japan was high on our priority list. At the cost of sounding a bit gluttonous, I would also like to add that our poor dietary intake for the first two days in Japan had only further strengthened our resolve and since it was a Sunday, I was looking forward to the ISKCON feasts generally held on this day.

Thus, even though the temple was located towards the outskirts of the city which meant a bit more of time, search and effort from our sides to make it there but, we still made it.

Located in a peaceful area in Funabori station away from the hustle and bustle of the main road, the building of the ISKCON temple was an ordinary looking structure and somewhat hard to figure out. Except for a small signage board there was nothing that indicated – Yes, this is the place. One glance at its humble settings and we knew that this would be going down as the most modest of all ISKCON temples that we have previously been to.

Entrance to the ISKCON Temple of Japan

A small bell at the door led us in. The room was no bigger than a residential house with a small gathering of a few bhaktas (devotees) seated on asanas (mats) immersed in the devotion for the Lord. The gates of the sanctum were closed.

The ISKCON Temple Room

In a corner, a Japanese girl supported by a small chorus group was playing the harmonium and striking melodic notes sinking the entire atmosphere in energetic devotion.

Jai Radha Govind Madhava... Singing glories to the Lord

At one side of the hall, a small memento cum book counter was stacked with Hindu Religious Texts as explained by Swami Prabhupada, Tulsi rosary beads, Krishna paintings and statues and many other attractive paraphernalia related to Lord Krishna.

The library cum memento corner

“Aren’t there Sunday feasts organized here like the ones that we have in Juhu, Mumbai”, I enquired one of the bhaktas at the counter. “No Mataji” he replied, “the temple cannot cater to such expenses as it is running on a loan. Prabhu ki iccha se kisi din… yahan bhi bhandare lagenge (God willing, someday we also will be able to host lavish treats for everyone), but for now we cannot afford it. But we do have a Govinda’s restaurant serving buffet, you can check that out if you please”. It was sad to know that this humble temple was finding it difficult to find its feet in a foreign land.

With a gloomy feeling and all my feast fantasies now collapsed, I grabbed a seat and joined in the standard chanting of Radhe Krishna, Hari Gopala intermittently while eagerly waiting for the sanctum door to open.

A few minutes passed by and the curtains were raised. A series of loud calls singing glory to the Lord echoed in the hall while the devotees kneeled and bowed their heads down in reverence.

Bowing down in reverence... the sanctum door opens

The priest lighted the prayer lamp motioning the commencement of the afternoon arti (prayer). The beautifully decorated Radhe Krishna deity shimmering in bright glow and glimmer blessing its devotees was now clearly visible.

Beautiful deities of Radha and Govinda

Srila Prabhupada - the founder of ISKCON

The highlight of the prayer was the simple candle lighting ceremony after the arti where each one got a chance to light one and register his presence in the house of the Lord. It was a nice practice, I thought, that encouraged engagement with your own self in addition to also drawing some personal moments in nearness to the God.

The candle lighting ceremony in the ISKCON Temple

After the prayers, the prasadam of kheer and pakoda was distributed amongst all. I took mine and left the place with one silent wish... to see this temple standing on its own one day.

Prasadam of kheer (a type of sweet made of milk) and pakoda

Adjacent to the temple is the Govinda’s restaurant serving buffet lunch for 1500 Yen. With an abundant line up of delicacies on the platter - rotis, sabji, idli, chutney, rice, dal, papad, sweet, etc. -

Govinda's restaurant

A full Thali

I had my heart’s fill... a little bit of everything from my thali which was wholesome, fulfilling, Indian... and purely vegetarian.

The Juhu temple's Bhandara is some thing I look forward to while visiting Mumbai. I am sorry to learn that the establishment in Tokyo is the modest one. However the decorations/exhibits match what we find elsewhere. Nice photographs and info. I find that the Thali contains a little more of rice.

@R Niranjan I agree. I also find the atmosphere very calming in the ISKCON temples irrespective of their make, especially their prayer sessions are very lively and enthusiastic. There is something in them that makes me want to visit them each time I can.

@gigihawaii Thanks for the intimation, I have replied accordingly. Please feel free to drop me a word if you need any further information regd. your trip to India and I will be more than glad to help you out. Looking forward to welcome you in India.

A wonderful account... it is always great to know about our culture thriving in far off land. I do remember visiting ISKCON temple in Hongkong long ago. Due to space constraints in city it was in a flat. Loved the pics am hungry now after seeing the pics of the feast

A peaceful and beautiful place, even if so small. I am glad that you found familiar food as well (and it sounds absolutely wonderful). It is hard to make the most of new experiences if you're hungry, so I'm sure you felt more like exploring after that lovely meal.

at least, even if the was no feast there, you were able to visit the temple Arti and also learned first hand of the situation there, sad to note, but hopefully, they will be able to soon prosper there, and glad you were able to find your vegetarian delight :)

Thank you everyone. Its always very interesting to read what all of you have got to say!

@ Mareta Yes, they indeed are. That is also because Buddhism had oiginally travelled from India to Japan via China and Buddhism finds its roots in Hinduism. The food was delicious and definitely recommended if one is searching for Indian food in Japan. :)

@Satya, @Karthick I agree. Making an effort to take the vision of Srila Prabhupada forward despite lack of proper funding is also very commendable indeed.

Hi, Arti! Govinda’s restaurant must be the one you said you liked in Tokyo. Right? What a feast full on the tray! I think I know how you were happy with such delicious pure vegetarian dishes after the prayers at the ISKCON Temple which you managed to make it all the way It’s impressive that Deities are dressed in beautiful, colorful outfit. Registered Hindus are very small number in Japan. I hear about one third of them live in Kobe, an international port town, my hometown, however, I haven’t heard of Hindu Temple in Kobe. Have happy days ahead.

Thanks for the comment. I always enjoy reading your thoughts and feedbacks. I guessed redflower buckwheat could be from Valleys of flower which I saw in your post. Have happy days ahead.

What a wonderful meal in the restaurant!! Arti, I am glad to report you this. In this summer, one restaurant for pure vegetarians opened near JR Nara Station!!I will go and try. Wishing you a wonderful week!keiko

Wow! I never knew there was a ISKCON Temple in Japan too. Not sure how I missed this post earlier. It sure is a very divine feeling to be there. Thanks Arti for sharing thi part of your journey with us. :)

Jai Shri Krishna Arti...Glad to know about such a beautiful spot even in Japan. Wonderful pics and wonderful description. I am glad to know that you travel far and wide and share your experiences with us :)Have a wonderful day!

It's good to know that ISKCON is spreading to other countries as well.Delighted to see such an initiative taking place in Japan. Lovely photographs. Hope that everything is fine now in Japan after the recent tsunami which happened last week.

Thank you for your beautiful description of the ISKCON Temple in Japan. Your visit and and experience touched my heart. We are very pleased to learn that devotees are able to worship at the simple yet serene Hare Krishna Temple in Japan.

We were very fortunate to know Srila Prabhupada. He had kindly gaven a Seva-service to my wife Niranjana to cook Prasad for Krishna at 4.00 A.M. and then at 11.00 A.M. for Srila Prabhupada at his simple quarters above the ISKCON temple in Los Angles from 1973 to 1977. One day Srila Prabhupada told my wife in Hindi: "Today I am taking your prasad last time. Tomorrow, I will be going to Vrindavan, India. We will meet in Krishna Loka" My wife was devastated, She cried a lot. She treated my wife like a daughter. Srila Prabhupada had told her earlier, not to visit Big department stores. My wife asked him, why? He replied in Hindi: Bar Bar Bhatakna Padega" You will not be able to satisfy your desires. You will have to take birth again and again." Srila Prabhupada often told us: "Everything is temporary. Only Krishna is permanent. Surrender to Krishna. You will be happy."

Prabhupada had given the names of our there children. Giatri, Gargi and Datta. They all were blessed by Srila Prabhupada. They are cancer doctor, a lawyer, and in entertainment business,respectively.

How far is the ISKCOn temple from Tokyo and other international airport? Are there any simple, clean and safe places to stay near the temple while visiting the ISKCON Temple? I would like to stay there for three-four days before I go to Seoul on 16th September 2017. The days like to visit Tokyo or near by city in Japan will be from September 10,11,12, 13, 2017. It would be indeed nice to eat vegetarian prasad/food at Govinda, stay near the temple and see Tokyo and other places nearby cities in Japan.

I am planning a trip to Seoul, South Korea to attend a peace conference from 16th to 19 September 2017. I would like to stop at Tokyo and visit this temple and donate some money to support the temple. Hari Bol. Vinod Dave, Los Alamitos, Los Angeles, California, USA. My contact information is email address: vinoddave101@aol.com. Telephones: 1-562-787-0111 cell, 1 562-493 6678 home

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Hi there! I am Arti - constantly on the road, both figuratively and literally, unwrapping my unique gift called life. My blog, which focuses on spiritual journeys, is all about my love of sharing, exploring and learning; a continuous journey where I strive to seek the truth, discover myself, the world, my place therein and experience the real treasures of life along the way. I hope to help those planning to make a trip to these places or simply provide a virtual tour to the rest.
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